Stop COCT calls out City as a ‘scapegoat’ for its own mess

As founder of STOP City of Cape Town (Stop COCT), Sandra Dickson, heeds the call of irate residents and owners in Van Riebeek Park following the public notice of the closure of Herzlia sports ground and cited that the city sought a “scapegoat” for its own negligence, the school itself has responded to the objections.

United Herzlia School (US) has responded to the uproar, detailing that it has been referred to the city.

"The objection has been referred to the City and will be addressed through its formal processes. Matters relating to lease terms fall within the City’s jurisdiction and any further comment should be directed to the City," said Andries van Renssen (Executive Director, UHS).

Dickson was responding to the plight made by residents who penned to the City following the announcement last week.

Cape Argus has since reached out to the City to ask whether a public participation process will take place or whether it did not form part of the decision-making process.

“The closure of Herzlia sports grounds exemplifies Cape Town's chronic infrastructure neglect, prioritising vague "maintenance" excuses over community needs amid ballooning municipal budgets that inexplicably spare elite facilities while grassroots sports venues languish,” said Dickson.

“This disrupts school programmes, amateur athletes, and family recreation in a high-density suburb, fueling inequality in access to public amenities. Without transparent disclosure on costs, timelines, or preventive measures coupled with the city's history of prolonged closures like those at nearby fields, it is hard to escape the suspicion of mismanagement or favouritism toward private interests. “More accountability is expected from City of Cape Town officials.”

Resident Michelle Trimborn also raised her plight, suggesting that there was a solution to manage the mess made by dogs: “Herzlia refers to their cost of maintaining the property, but their rental savings, due to the token annual city rental fee of R980(?), surely offsets the minimal amount of "damage" that my daughter and I cause? We do take our dogs with us, but we are fastidious about picking up stools, and we, in fact, bring a dog's ablutions to the attention of other owners if they do not see it.” The City, which leases the land to the school, cites repeated damage from dogs (digging, defecation, irrigation damage) and safety concerns as the reason.'

Residents argue the closure breaches the lease's clause for "full public access when the field is not used" and violates a recent Sub council deferral resolution.

Brent Moore, who spoke on behalf of residents, objected, calling the closure an unauthorised enforcement and a material breach, demanding the removal of restrictive signage and a formal public participation process. The school, facing increased maintenance costs and compromised facility integrity due to uncontrolled dog activity and overuse from Grass Boots FC, supports removing the public access clause.

The City’s Recreation and Parks Department also backs the change, suggesting the adjacent park is a suitable alternative. Residents stress the closure unfairly impacts responsible owners and removes vital community green space, arguing the City must conduct a fair public participation process before implementing the administrative change.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus